Michael Avery Obituary

Michael Avery died November, 4 2016 in Longmont, Co, peacefully in his sleep. Mike was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived in Birmingham until age 18. He attended Seaholm High School, class of 1982. Soon after he moved to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas. In 1997 he was awarded a M.S. in Biochemistry. His career in the biosciences gave him the opportunity to develop drugs that alleviated ALS, Alzheimer's, Breast Cancer and Diabetes. He worked for the University of Kansas laboratories, 3-M, Sigma, The Veterans Administration, and Amgen.

Mike was an avid outdoor enthusiast. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, he skied expert-level slopes in Vail and Lake Tahoe, climbed 14,000ft peaks, and camped extensively in remote areas of Michigan, Colorado, and Wyoming. As a life-long lover of music, he attended Interlochen Center for the Arts, and played in several jazz bands. His door was always open to anyone in need and he was gracious and kind to all. Mike is proceeded in death by his parents Nancy and Lyndell Avery. He is survived by his Aunt Diane Lanigan; cousins Jim Lanigan, Rachel Hogreve, Sarah Haug; half-brother Mark Avery; half-sister Lisa Avery; and his beloved companion of 28 years, Karen Cunningham. Services will be held at Stafford Cemetery on July 29, 2017 at 11:45 am.